A Man in a Ninja Costume Has Been Running Around Warsaw Swinging a (Fake) Sword

This article was originally published by VICE Poland

For the past week or so, a man dressed in a ninja costume has been running around the streets of Warsaw swinging a metal sword. As expected, local authorities have spent the last few days trying to sort through the numerous formal complaints filed by residents of the Grochów district—where the ninja is mostly active. Whether the complainants were creeped out because they did not know the sword was fake or merely by the sight of a man in a black costume and balaclava, is still unknown.

Either way, as soon as I heard about him, I set out to get in touch with the "Grochów ninja," as he is now locally known. It wasn't hard—the guy has actually set up a Facebook fanpage for himself. After a few back and forth messages between him, me, and his dad, I found myself talking to a man dressed like a ninja on the corner of Terespolska and Grochowska in Warsaw.

VICE: Why are you doing this?
Grochów Ninja: When I was 15, I wanted to be faster than my friends so I started training in short and long distance running. Two years later, I was attacked by thieves. I realized I don't stand a chance in a fist fight, so I thought it'd be best to buy something that would help me defend myself.

I first bought a bokken, which is a wooden exercise sword. It was my mother who got me interested in Japanese culture in the first place. I got weird looks from passers-by, when I carried the sword on my back. Then, a buddy sold me a sword made of leaf spring for 15 zloties (about $4.50). Actually, I am not sure if the sword was really made of leaf spring, but that's what my friend said. And then another couple of years later, I was attacked on the street again—but this time I managed to kick the bastards' asses. My new sword worked miracles.

Do you have a sensei or are you self-taught?
I practice myself. I mostly work on my general endurance and reaction time. I've been a runner for six years now and I plan to do it for as long as I am physically able. At the beginning, I ran in a tracksuit and now I do it in a ninja warrior outfit.

What do you do in life, apart running around Warsaw dressed as a ninja?
I wear normal clothes, but I never go out without my sword. I carry it with me to the shops, running errands—basically everywhere. The only place where I take it off my back is work. As a security guard, I must wear a uniform. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to draw a line between work and fun.

Do you get more attention from girls since you became the Grochów Ninja?
A few cute girls liked my fan page, but I checked and they're mostly married or have boyfriends. I don't want to be a dumbass stealing other guy's girls. I have values.

What have been the reactions of the people who see you on the street?
I've heard that quite a few complaints have been filed to the Grochów district council but the local councilman, Damian Paczkowski, had a meeting with the mayor of Warsaw and told him I'm harmless man. I have it in writing: I run around with an imitation sword. I do not wish harm on anyone.

When somebody gets at me, I ignore them and keep running. I don't understand why we are all so intent on limiting ourselves. Showing off your passion is cool! Let's not all be grey and same-looking. We live in a free country after all.

Thanks for that.